33946 Ecmo/ecls initiation venous
Also known as: ECMO initiation venous, ECLS venous setup, extracorporeal support initiation
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation/extracorporeal life support initiation of venoarterial, venovenous, or arteriovenous circulation support; percutaneous or surgical placement of venous cannula for extracorporeal oxygenation.
In Plain Language
Placement of life support breathing machine tubing; Heart-lung machine support start
Clinical Context
Initial placement of venous cannula(e) for establishment of ECMO support in acute cardiogenic shock, respiratory failure, or other conditions requiring extracorporeal circulatory support.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 5.85 |
| Total RVU | 5.85 |
Est. Medicare Payment
National estimate based on 2026 CMS PFS Conversion Factor ($33.40). Actual payment varies by locality (GPCI adjustment).
Billing & Documentation
As a surgical CPT code, proper documentation must include the operative report detailing the procedure performed, patient positioning, approach, findings, and any complications. Ensure the diagnosis code (ICD-10) supports medical necessity for the procedure.
How This Code Compares
With a work RVU of 5.85, this code ranks in the 39th percentile among Surgery codes — 1.4x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 33946?
CPT 33946 (Ecmo/ecls initiation venous) is a Surgery code. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation/extracorporeal life support initiation of venoarterial, venovenous, or arteriovenous circulation support; percutaneous or surgical placement of venous cannula for extracorporeal oxygenation.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 33946?
The work RVU for CPT 33946 is 5.85. This code is primarily used by Cardiac Surgery, Critical Care, Cardiothoracic Surgery.
When is CPT 33946 used?
Initial placement of venous cannula(e) for establishment of ECMO support in acute cardiogenic shock, respiratory failure, or other conditions requiring extracorporeal circulatory support.
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CPT® is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association. Data sourced from CMS Physician Fee Schedule RVU26A. Descriptions, synonyms, and clinical context are original content by RVU Edge.